Leeds, Fort Nelson, Tower of London
Revision: 13
Revision date: 25 June 2025
Reference: HS-RA-POL-001
This document is in three parts.
- Part one is a summary statement of intent, which outlines the Museum’s commitment to provide a successful health and safety management system.
- Part two designates the organisation required to implement the policy.
- Part three includes the detailed arrangements made by the Museum to manage health and safety.
Part One Museum Health and Safety Management Policy Statement
- The Board of Trustees and the Senior Management of the Museum recognise that legal requirements for health and safety set only a minimum standard. We are committed to achieving best practice in health and safety wherever possible.
- It is the policy, therefore, of the Museum to:
- Provide healthy and safe working conditions for all employees, to carry out risk assessments and comply with relevant statutory requirements.
- Conduct its activities to minimise risks to the public.
- Provide appropriate information, supervision, training, and personal protection, so far as is reasonably practicable in each case.
- Monitor, inspect and audit health and safety to ensure its effective management and continual improvement throughout the Museum.
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- The Director General and Master is responsible for the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy.
- All Directors, Heads of Department, Managers and Supervisors are responsible to the Director General and Master for health and safety within their areas through the management line.
- The Board of Trustees and the Director General and Master will ensure that, within the resources of the Museum, appropriate provision is made to enable the Museum to fulfil its health and safety obligations.
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- The Museum Health and Safety Policy is supplemented by Local Policies and Procedures within Departments, which are regarded as extensions of the Health and Safety Policy.
- Heads of Departments are responsible, within their areas through the management line, for ensuring that health and safety policies and information are circulated to all employees, contractors, and other visitors, as appropriate.
- All employees, contractors and other visitors are required to co-operate and comply with the Health and Safety Policy in addition to discharging their own individual responsibilities for health and safety.
- Each site of the Royal Armouries Health and Safety Committee meets regularly to consider all aspects of health and safety and to recommend changes in procedures and update policies as appropriate.
- The Royal Armouries will consult with recognised trade union representatives and employees through the Museum Health and Safety Committees.
- The Royal Armouries encourages staff to make suggestions for the improvement of health and safety, through the management line or trade union representatives.
- The Health and Safety Policy and associated procedures will be reviewed, and if necessary revised, regularly and when changes in circumstances or legislation dictate.
Part Two Organisation
Management
The Board of Trustees
- Conforms to best standards of corporate governance and risk management.
- Ensures it complies with all relevant legislation.
- Employs suitably qualified staff who discharge their duties as required.
- Provides the Director General and Master with all necessary resources and assistance needed to effectively manage all risk arising from Royal Armouries businesses.
- Periodically takes measures to satisfy that it is carrying out its duties.
Audit Committee
- Advises on strategic processes for risk control and governance, including health and safety.
The Director General and Master
- Understand the main requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Ensure organisational structure is appropriate to manage health and safety.
- Allocate necessary resources for health and safety.
- Review organisation H&S performance.
- Attend Health and Safety Committee meetings as necessary.
Chief Operating Officer
- Ensure effective reporting to Exec Board on all significant and material H&S matters.
- Provide strategic advice and guidance on policy and management of H&S.
- Ensure timely and effective H&S monitoring, review, and development activity.
- Ensure fire drills and evacuations are carried out in accordance with the Fire Reform Order.
- Draw up annual action plans for health and safety and report to the Audit Committee.
Directors
- Ensure senior managers are trained and instructed as to their duties and responsibilities.
- Allocate necessary resources within their control to ensure adequate safety.
- Ensure all risk assessments for activities undertaken by their staff are conducted.
- Attend Health and Safety Committee meetings as necessary.
Head of Business Support
- Support and act on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer.
- Prepare health and safety reports for the Executive Board and Trustees.
- Manage the museum’s elected Health and Safety consultant contract.
Health and Safety Coordinator
- Communicate all relevant health and safety information to employees.
- Monitor accident and near miss trends.
- Review and revise the Health and Safety policy annually or sooner if required.
Health and Safety Consultant
- Provide advice and guidance on H&S management systems.
- Act as RA Competent Person.
- Support RA in emergency planning and incident response.
Senior Management
- Ensure supervisors and team leaders are trained and instructed.
- Ensure all risk assessments are conducted.
- Manage contractors and ensure documentation is received.
Fire Officer
- Ensure a current Fire Risk Assessment is in place for all sites.
- Compile and review fire action plans.
- Ensure fire drills are carried out twice per year per site.
Visitor Services Manager / Operations Manager
- Ensure daily walk rounds confirming site safety.
- Ensure hazards in public areas are reported and remedied.
Head of Estates and Facilities
- Prioritise maintenance jobs to provide a safe environment.
- Monitor and maintain fire protection equipment.
Head of Operations – Fort Nelson
- Act as liaison between RA and Hampshire County Council.
Keeper of Tower Armouries
- Act as liaison between RA and Historic Royal Palaces.
Department Manager / Team Leader
- Ensure employees are adequately inducted and trained.
- Report defective equipment and ensure it is taken out of use.
All Employees
- Work in accordance with RA policies and procedures.
- Report defective equipment, dangerous situations, accidents, near misses.
- Use safety equipment provided.
Health and Safety Committees
- Meet regularly at all three sites and comprise elected representatives and departmental delegates.
Health and Safety Representatives
- Investigate complaints and report issues to management.
- Attend Health and Safety Committee meetings.
Union Health and Safety Representatives
- Inspect the workplace every three months.
- Investigate causes of accidents and incidents.
Contractors and Visitors
- Contractors must submit safety policy, risk assessments and method statements.
- Visitors must be accompanied and informed of fire evacuation procedures.
Part Three Arrangements
Provision of Information
- Health and safety notice boards display current information.
- Information includes minutes of meetings, accident reports, and policy statements.
Policy / Procedures
Title: Accident / Incident Reporting & Investigation
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Asbestos Management in Collections
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies Collections
Title: Communication and Consultation Policy
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies Health and Safety
Title: Control of Contractors
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Dangerous Substances Explosive Atmosphere (DSEAR)
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Driving for Work
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Electrical Safety – Under review
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Environment
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies Exec
Title: Fire Evacuation
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Site specific
Title: First Aid, Bio Waste and Defibrillator
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: GDPR - Record Keeping
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies Exec
Title: Ladders and Steps
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Legionella Policy
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities, Facilities Management Policies
Title: Lone Working
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Manual Handling Operations
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: New and Expectant Mothers
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies HR
Title: Noise
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Permit to Work
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Radiation Protection
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies Collections
Title: Remote Working
Location: Governing the Organisation One Armouries
Title: Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Risk Assessment
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Work Equipment
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Site specific
Title: Working at Heights
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Shelving and Racking
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
Title: Smoking
Location: Governing the Organisation Policies H & S
Title: Training
Location: Managing Resources, Forms, HR Forms Training
Title: Vibration
Location: Managing Estates & Facilities H & S Z Procedures Tri site
The above list is not exhaustive, and additional procedures will be added as required.